Superhero fighting racism and bias in healthcare and beyond.....

Superhero of Medicine fights racism and bias


 

On August 20 the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) awarded the Superhero of Medicine award, sponsored by Exact Sciences, to Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH. Dr. Zapata was nominated in 2019 when COVID didn’t exist and George Floyd and Breonna Taylor (along with many others) were still alive. In this world that is now 2020 Dr. Zapata was modest about accepting the award, stating that it is those on the frontlines fighting the virus that are the true heroes. They are. But the pandemic and these senseless killings have brought attention to issues that Dr. Zapata has been working against throughout her career – racism as a public health crisis and disparities in health care, and for this we are proud to recognize her.

Renee Moe of United Way of Dane County and Janine Stephens of the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness nominated Dr. Zapata for this award and when they were asked who her nemesis was, (because all superheroes have a nemesis) they both called out racism and bias in health care.

 Dr. Zapata is a neonatologist for UW Health. Just last week a study was published finding that Black babies taken care of by white doctors were three times more likely to die. Not only is Dr. Zapata caring for those babies she is also dedicated to inspiring and supporting a new generation of diverse women in health care to help change this devastating statistic. Here are just a few of Dr. Zapata’s accomplishments:

  • Founded the Madam Dreamers Academy, a virtual mentorship program supporting more than 1,000 young minority women form across the country on their path to medicine
  • Founded the Beyond Beautiful International Girls' Empowerment Movement and is a published author on empowerment
  • Launched a branch of The Ladder, a national mentorship program geared towards reaching a diverse population of students interested in health fields
  • Helped organize a White Coats for Black Lives day at the state capitol with the UW-School of Medicine and Public Health and the Student National Medical Association

Doctor Zapata also has many allies. She honored one of her heroes during the hugely successful virtual award presentation, Jackie Hunt of F.O.S.T.E.R. (Families Overcoming Struggles To Encourage Resilience). Ms. Hunt provides case management, counseling and consulting to families in need and is a dynamic storyteller and author; sharing her experiences with addiction and the criminal justice system. Dr. Zapata surprised Ms. Hunt with a $2,000 check that thanks to Exact Sciences was part of her Superhero award, to continue to support families in Dane County. Learn more about her work and how you could help on Facebook @fosterdanecounty.

The Foundation is proud to support people and programs that work to improve the social determinants of health and look forward to October, when the Foundation will officially launch a collaboration with Dr. Zapata to help expand her work and impact across Wisconsin. Follow this blog to be sure not to miss this exciting announcement! 

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